Tomorrow night (Tuesday) at Satellite Ballroom will be a great night for unashamed pop fans. Kate Voegele, Cary Brothers (”Blue Eyes” was on the Garden State soundtrack), and headliner Ben Lee (just as famous for dating Claire Danes as he is for collaborating with Ben Folds) are fun and, objectively-speaking, adorable. While I can’t vouch for the two openers, I have seen Lee perform before and he doesn’t disappoint. That, and he is damn nice. Anyone see him last year at Starr Hill? His new album, “Ripe,” is as catchy as anything as I’ve heard lately. What’s wrong with pop music as escapism? I like avant-garde music as much as the next person, but not everyone has to be innovative like the Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, or [insert name of that other band no one has ever heard of that is awesome but can’t get too big because then they will be sellouts and I can’t be a fan of sellouts].
Maybe I’m not living up to my moniker, but I’ll gladly be there tomorrow night.
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Tagged as: Concerts, Music, Shows
I’ve seen Ben the past two times he’s been to town. Excellent pop fun put out there by a sweet as pie guy. Good with the funny banter in between really catchy tunes. I’m pretty sure that The Corner is going to have him in for an interview today, so any newbies to Ben’s music, that might be a way to find out whether or not he might be your Tuesday night escape from reality. I know I’ll be there!
The Arcade Fire and Bright Eyes, while certainly popular within a certain subset of music fans who subscribe to “indie rock” as a genre, lifestyle, or perceived mode of rebellion against mass culture, are hardly on the bleeding edge of “innovative”. And most certainly a far cry from “avant garde.” This is not to take away from the achievements of the quirky Canadian troupe of Springsteen-worshippers or the erstwhile Mr. Oberst.
Ben Lee, on the other hand, has done little of note since Noise Addict besides the aforementioned diddling of Claire Danes. The guy flat-out blows, I don’t care how “adorable” he is. Puppies are cute, too, until they drop a turd in your lap.
baconfat: you are funny! Hellllllo!
ThatGrrl: yes, it’s true, the Corner is interviewing him AND the Cary Brothers AND Kate today.
My impression of Bright Eyes is that Conor Oberst has convinced people to like really painful music.
Honestly, that stuff sounds so bad. I think some crazy people (emoish in nature) want really painful music to listen to because that’s the best way to express the coolness factor of life sucking.
I can just imagine bright eyes fans sitting around and bragging about how they liked some even more off the cusp, cacophonous band because it’s cool to like stuff that really sucks and no one likes.
Just my opinion…
I second Thor. Bright Eyes is suckaphonic.
Not a Bright Eyes fan, either. Never really understood what all the fuss was about.
I know a girl who had sex with Ben Lee while he was with Claire Danes. My friend was way cuter than either of them.
I really can’t stand any of the whiny bands, the emo bands, or any band that tries to call themselves avant garde or experimental. Bright Eyes makes my ears bleed. Not a Fall Out Boy fan either.
Give me good old das german heavy metal and down home bluegrass any day. Yes, I have a rather ecletic cd collection. - oh my, showing my age, sorry - MP3 collection…
There is one kickass Bright Eyes song, it’s a free download on iTunes: “When the President Talks to God.” That’s some tasty dissent!
Not a fan of Bright Eyes either, but they and Fall Out Boy really don’t belong in the same sentence, let alone the same post.
I’d take Conor’s emo-ish warblings over Pete Wentz’s corporate shilling, guyliner wearing, stupid Asslee Simpson loving, naked cell phone picture taking ass, any day.
Though, I have to begrudgingly admit, some of FoBs song titles are clever, even though the music sucks. I know WAY too much about Pete Wentz and Fall Out Boy. Groan.
Ben Lee is funny. Ben Kweller is cuter. Ben Folds is cutest and wittiest.
You forgot Ben Harper. (Rootsiest?)
(slaps forehead) I KNEW there was another Ben I was forgetting. Rootsiest would be good. Could also be spiritualiest. Actress lovingiest. Jammiest. Or Authenticiest.
Ben Harper: fewest original ideas?
baconfat, sorry my picks werent obscure enough for you. for the record, i was not saying that either band was the ultimate in cutting-edge music. for clarities sake, i was just trying to name groups that the fringe-indie listener was familiar with. last time i checked, this wasnt pitchforkmedia.
well done on the puppy turd comment, though. this blogs poop-joke quotient has been far too low.
I’ve never heard any of the aforementioned bands. I guess I’m too old for this thread.
No, Ethan, you have too much dignity for this thread.
And indie dork… you kinda set yourself up for expectations of grand obscurity with your handle. Least thats the way I had it spun in my head. A “non-cutting edge disclaimer” would be appreciated for the more slow witted villains like myself in the future.
And by the way, four of the seven members of Hot Snot are named Ben. I know a girl that slept with all of them at once when they were all very publically vieing for the affections of Parker Posey. Damn Ryan Adams and his plaintive bourbon soaked feelings! Now no one will know the meat fueled anthemic magesty that is Hot Snot! Anyway. She was not very cute. Wait, where was I? Ah thats right…
Nowhere with nuthin.
I met Nitro (Dan) from “American Gladiators” at a club in Vegas some years ago. I wanted him to come out to the casino (more space) and lift me over his head, but he was kind of offended that I just wanted him to do gladiator stunts. He’s very sweet, actually. Misunderstood.
Great kisser.
Did you guys rumble-tumble in the big hamster ball thingy, L?
Well I thought tonight was great by all three artisits. Too bad the crowd was so small and chatty.
Seriously. I could barely hear, at some points. Although, must admit, I prefer Ben Lee when he has a full band. But for some unplugged fun, that was pretty cool!
Heard in the ladies loo:
1st chick: “I can’t believe I’m here on a Tuesday.”
2nd chick: “Me neither. But the real question is, where is everyone else?”
Students or grown-ups?
Looked like students to me, lilith. Actually, the majority of the crowd appeared to be student-esque. Just a few of the town-folk sprinkled in among them. Made me feel way the hell old.
I’m just glad students are going to the Satellite Ballroom at all. Not the case when it opened!
When I was a student, I went to concerts to see “dreamy” guys whose music I’d never listened to. Rite of passage.
I went to a teeny little college with very little in the way of concerts. Basically, your standard fraternity party fare. I’d have killed for the C-ville music scene. But I’m with you. Happy to see the place thrive.
[…] born in WHAT year?” Slate.com: The triumphant return of American Gladiators Did you hear? I made out with Nitro. Details […]